Opinion: James Carville plops Al Gore’s name on Obama’s VP plate

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Here’s what Democratic strategist and former Clinton aide James Carville says:

‘If I was Sen. Obama, I would say the biggest economic problem we face is the biggest national security problem and the biggest environmental problem. And if I were him, I would ask Al Gore to serve as his vice president, his energy czar, in his administration to reduce our consumption and reliance on foreign energy sources.

‘That would send a signal to the world, to American people, to Congress, to everybody, that America’s getting serious about this horrendous problem that we face.’

Here’s what Al Gore said last winter:

‘I haven’t ruled out the idea of getting back into the political process at some point in the future. Don’t expect to. But if I did get back, it would be as a candidate for president, not in any other position. But I don’t expect to ever get back into the political...’

To which Carville, a self-described ‘Capt. Cueball,’ responded today on CNN’s ‘Situation Room:’

‘Well, I’m not suggesting he’s just any vice president. I’m suggesting that Sen. Obama as president would give him a lot of authority to deal with our consumption of oil.’

James Carville supported, contributed to and wrote fundraising letters for the unsuccessful campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Here’s another problem: Gore hasn’t even endorsed Obama yet, raising some political eyebrows. He could be awaiting a grand televised entrance at the national convention in late August. And, actually, Gore has not expressed any interest in joining yet another Democratic ticket in the No. 2 spot.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: AP